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A new lens on scientific brilliance

Visual storytellers are invited to seize an opportunity to share their finest images and shine a light on the truth and beauty of science.

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China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)
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Credit: China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us,” said the late astronomer, Carl Sagan, of an image of Earth taken from space in 1990 by Voyager 1.

Celebrating the power of scientific images, and in the spirit of our shared fate on this pale blue dot as our only home, a contest which promises global exposure is now seeking photographers worldwide to show the power of scientific communications and submit their best work.

Millions of pixels, boundless reach

‘Innovation through the lens: discovering the beauty of science’ is now in its third year, and calls for vivid visual stories to promote the importance of science. Organized by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), along with the China Science and Technology Press Co. Ltd. (CSTP), it seeks entries to document how science is changing the world.

As the largest non-governmental organization of scientific and technological professionals in China, CAST has 210 national member societies and local branches, maintaining close ties with millions of Chinese scientists, engineers and other professionals. For more than 60 years, CSTP has also been promoting the dissemination of scientific knowledge and culture in global public conversations.

ONE CLICK CONNECTION

JUDGING CRITERIA:

1. Strong visual impact: from the microscopic world, material composition, to engineering structure that reflects strength and beauty

2. Scientific value: process of research and discoveries (e.g. pictures of the moon and black holes taken for the first time)

3. People behind the science and technology: portraits / behind-the-scene photoshoot

4. Other refreshing perspectives to illustrate the beauty of science and technology

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Entries must be submitted in JPG and other file formats of at least 5MB.

Photo series must be marked with numbers.

A summary of theme, technique, and supplementary information must be uploaded in a Word file which contains descriptions of the photo’s (1) theme (2) underlying story (3) photographed subjects (4) photographic technology (5) photographers’ contact information (6) other supplementary information

** All contributors must promise that the submitted text and images would not constitute any infringement of intellectual property rights and portrait rights of any third parties.

POST-EVENT PROMOTION:

The finalists may win FREE one-year subscription to Nature, and may have the opportunity to receive cash prizes. Their winning entries may be presented online or in exhibitions. Contributors will be notified for follow-up payments in case of reproduction of their entries.

** The Organisers reserve the right of the final decision, and the right to revise the above arrangements without prior announcement.

Please share with us your best photo with descriptions:

sciphoto@163.com

From now to February 28, 2022

From the nano scale to infinity

Some of the top scientific ideas are best captured via images to complement what’s beneath the surface.

“I’m interested in how photographic documentation can provide evidence and drive discovery,” said Dengyi Gao, a researcher from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. “People admiring the beauty of fogbow in my Arctic photo, for example, also learned more about the different physical mechanisms underlying its formation.”

“Both science and photography seek to understand properties of nature from physical phenomenon – with photography providing the means to explore innovations for scientists,” said Pan Hui, a professor at the department of education of Peking Union Medical College.

A moment for eternity

The organizers hope that the winning entries will be visually stunning and thought-provoking to inspire scientific interest. Both students and the scientific community are urged to chronicle the grandest technological and engineering feats, and capture the most awaited astrophysical moments.

Find your inspirations in the following videos that celebrate the spirit of innovation through the lens:

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